Depression range-finder.



.No. 737,734, PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903. A.'SWASEY.

DEPRESSION RANGE FINDER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4. 1902.

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PATENTED SEPT. 1, A1903.

A. SWASEY.

DEPRESSION RANGE FINDER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4. 1902.

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NQ. 137,794. PATRNTRD SEPT. 1, 1903.

A. SWASRY.

DEPRESSION RANGE FINDER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4. 1902.

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No. 73739342 l UNiTl-:D STATES latented September l, 190g;

PATENT Ottica.

AMBROSE SlVASEY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE WARNER d: SVASEYCOMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

DEPRESSION RANGE-FINDER.

SPECIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 737,794, datedSeptember 1, 1903.

Application filed September 4, 1902. Serial No. 122,047. (No model.)

I To all wwnt 712'; may concern:

Beit known that I, AMBRosE SwAsEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in DepressionRange-Finders, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to improvements in depression range-finders, whichare instruments having tilting telescopes which move in a vertical planeabout a horizontal axis. These instruments are provided with indicatorswhich constantly present to the observer the solution of the varyingproblems of triangulation that are incident to the various angularpositions which the telescope may occupy. ln using these instrumentsthey must be fixed at a known elevation. The elevation of the telescopeabove this plane is the known base-line of the triangle, which base-linemakes a right angle to the horizontal line whose length is to beascertained. The angle of depression of the telescope when directed atan object whose distance from the foot of the base-line is to bedetermined gives the data from which to calculate the horizontaldistance between the foot of the vertical base-line and the point wherethe horizontal line intersects the axial line of the telescope.

The objects of this invention are, irst, to obtain accuracy in theoperations and indications of the instrument, and, second, to adapt theinstrument for use at any desired elevation above the horizontal planein which the distances are to be measured. This horizontal plane iscommonlythe sea-level. These instruments are designed especially for usein the coast-defense service to ascertain the distance from the foot ofthe vertical baseline to any object--for example, a hostile shipiioating upon the surface of the water.

The invention consists, first, in the mechanism intermediate of thetelescope and indicating device whereby the telescope and indicatorsimultaneously move properly correlated distances adapted to theelevation of the instrument; second, in the means of adjusting thisintermediate mechanism for any desired altitude of the instrument, sothat the angular movement of the instrument will be accompanied by aproperly-proportioned movement of the indicator; third, generally in thecombination of parts having to do with these movements and their propercorrelation, and, fourth, in the indicator mechanismall of which areshown in the drawings and will now be described, and definitely pointedout in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation,

l partly in section, of so much of the instrument as is necessary toshow the elevation. Fig. 2 is a front view of the instrument or so muchvthereof as discloses the present invention.

The instrument shown is an azimuth inl strument and includes asupporting-frame A, rotatable about a true vertical axis, as the spindleN, and all of the mechanism constituting the present invention ismounted and supported upon this frame. In every instrument of this classmeans are provided for measuring and ascertaining the angular movementof this supporting-frame; but such mechanism forms no part of thepresent invention, and is therefore not described nor completely shown.The present -invention is not, however, limited to an azimuthinstrument.

a a represent standards, only one being shown, rising from the frame A.The telescope B occupies a position between these standards and haslaterally-extended trunnions b, which are mounted in true horizontalbearings upon said standards. Near the eyepiece end of the instrumentare two other vertical standards a a', which rise from the frame andbetween which the telescope passes. Lying between these standards andpivoted thereto on an axis which is parallel with the axis upon whichthe telescope turns is a lever D, Whose upper end is forked, the twoforks CZ CZ, which lie on opposite sides of the telescope, being theparts of the lever by which it is pivoted to said standards, as stated.On thc lower end of the lever is a IOO Worm-segment d which enOaOes withawormb 9 D D screw on a shaft E. This shaft is suitably mounted and hassecured to the end which is nearest the operator a graduated cylinder C,which serves as the distance-indicator.

The lever D is provided with an arm cl2, which extends toward thehorizontal axis of the telescope. This arm cl2 has on its upper edgepreferably a dovetail tongue d3, which fits into a dovetail groove in asliding block G', supported on said arm. A rack (Z4 is let into the topface of this arm, and a pinion f attached to a shaft F, mounted in saidblock, engages with this rack. Turning this shaft by means of a Wheel fon its end moves the block along this arm toward or from the axis ofthelever D. One side of this arm d2 is graduated, as shown at d5, thegraduations being preferably upon a bar d, secured to the side of thearm d2, and upon the corresponding side of the movable block is apointer g3 for reading` the said graduations.

On the side of the telescope is a flange b which-is preferably a barattached to the side of the telescope. The sliding block G carries astud g', which extends under and engages with the lower edge of the baror flange b. Therefore by the turning of the shaft E the `lever D Willbe rocked through the described connection between them. By reason ofthe described engagement ofthe pivot-pin g with the bar b there will bea concurrent tilting of the telescope; but the extent of the tilting ofthe telescope will depend upon the point on the bar b with which thepivot-pin engages. The sliding of block G along the arm d2 toward itsouter end lengthens the lever-arm Wherewith the lever D tilts thetelescope, and it also shortened the distance between the pivot of thetelescope and the point at which the pressure is applied to tilt it. Itis evident, therefore, that for a given movement of the indicator thetilting motion of a telescope in a vertical plane Vwill be reduced asthe sliding block is moved toward the pivot of the lever D. Thegraduations on this leverarm d2 have been carefully calculated andaccurately placed, so that Whatever may be the altitude of theinstrument, if the sliding block is moved to a position where itsindexmark registers with the index-mark on the bar corresponding withthe altitude, all of the angular movements of the telescope willthereafter be accompanied by a properly-correlated movement of theindicater whereby the latter will indicate the actual length of thehorizontal member of the rightangle triangle of which the said altitudeis the known base. In other words, it will indicate the horizontaldistance from the object sighted to the foot of the vertical base-linein which the instrument is placed.

In ord erto'tilt the telescope and produce the properly-correlatedmovements of the associated parts, a crank-shaftJ is mounted insomething fixed to the frame A, preferably in a block a2, secured to theside of one of the vertical standards al This crank-shaft has on itsinner end a beveled gear j, meshing with the beveled gear-teeth c on theinner edge of the indicator-cylinder C. By turning this crank-shaft bymeans of a handle j all of the parts constituting the train of mechanismdescribed are moved, including the telescope. Any form of indicatordevice may be used with the described mechanism for tilting thetelescope. The indicator shown consists of a range-cylinder C, attachedto the shaft E, and on its periphery is a spiral line, either actual orimaginary, along which are placed the figures which represent the numberof units of distance which the object sighted is from the foot of thevertical base-line, these figures and their proper positions upon theindicator-cylinder having been carefully determined. This spiraldisposition'of these indicating-gradu ations has the advantage of givinga rlarge indicator in small compass; but there is necessarily associatedwith it a movable pointer K to indicate which one of the spiral rows ofgraduations must be read. This pointer is a bar K, ,sliding in suitableways above and parallel with the shaft E, and adapted to project overthe cylinder C. It has on its under side rack-teeth 7c, which engage ina gear-segment m, constituting one end of a rocker M, which is pivotedon a horizontal pivot between the said indicator-bar and the shaft E,and this rocker has on the opposite side of its pivot worm-teeth, mwhich engage with a worm-screw e on the shaft E. The rotation of theshaft and its attached indicatorcylinderis necessarily accompanied by amovement of this pointer, and the described parts are so proportionedthat the end of the pointer advances in accordance with the pitch of thespiral gradu ations, Wherefore it always points to the proper graduationto be read.

The described` instrument may be placed, as above stated, at anyelevation above the sea-level, and when once placed and its altitude isascertained the sliding block is moved along the arm Z2 to the properpoint thereof, as indicated by the graduations, for lthe instrument towork properly at said altitude. If the instrument is located attide-water, the adjustment of the block must be varied during the day inaccordance with the rise and fall of the tide, and to facilitate thisadjustment two adjustable stops R R are secured to the arm cl2 onopposite sides of the sliding block G, and so placed that when the blockengages with one of them the instrument is properly set for thehigh-Water level and when it engages with the other it is properly setfor the low-water level. With these stops there is no danger that theadjustment of the instrument will be materially wrong at any time, sinceitis possible to have the adjustment incorrect only Within very smalllimits.

On top of the sliding block is a safety-lever T. It is pivoted on avertical axis and has an operating-arm t and a linger t', which entersand fits loosely in a slot b2 in the bar h on the IOO side of thetelescope. The weight of the telescope is so disposed on opposite sidesof its pivot that its eyepiece will always by gravity rest upon theoperating pin g carried by the sliding block G. This safety-lever is toprevent the accidental lifting of the telescope from this pin and thepossible resultant dropping of the same onto the pin g, which might bendor break something and thereby render the device either inoperative orinaccurate. The shaft E, the sliding pointer K, the indicater-cylinderC, the device intermediate of the shaft and pointer, and some othermechanism, as shown, are in a case S, which is provided with atransparent window s in its top side above the cylindrical indicator.

Many changes may be made in the construction and combination of partsdiffering from those suggested without departing from the essentialcharacteristics of this invention.

Having described my invention, I claiml. In a depression range-finder,the combination of a telescope tilting in a vertical plane on ahorizontal transverse axis, with a lever independently pivoted on afixed transverse axis parallel with the horizontal transverse axis ofthe telescope and adapted to tilt the telescope, with a range-indicator,and mechanism for simultaneously moving the indicator and lever,`substantially as described.

2. In a depression range-finder, the combination of a telescopetiltingin a vertical plane on a horizontal transverse axis, and a leverindependently pivoted on a iixed transverse axis parallel with thehorizontal transverse axis of the telescope and adapted to tilt thetelescope, with a range-indicator, mechanism for simultaneously movingthe indicator and the lever, and an adjustable connection between thelever and telescope whereby a given angular movement of the lever willproduce different angular movements of the telescope, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination of a telescope tilting in a vertical plane on ahorizontal transverse axis, a lever pivoted on a fixed transverse axisparallel with the horizontal transverse axis of the telescope, andhaving an approximately horizontal arm, with a block adjustable uponsaid arm, means carried by this block for engaging with the telescope totilt it, a rangeindicator, and mechanism for simultaneously moving saidlever and indicator, substantially as specified.

i. In a depression r'angeiinder, the combination of a telescope tiltingin a vertical plane 0n a horizontal transverse axis, a lever pivoted ona xed transverse axis parallel with the horizontal transverse axis ofthe telescope, and having an arm which extends toward the transverseaxis of the telescope and is graduated to indicate various altitudes atwhich the instrument may be placed, a block adjustable upon said arm,means carried by this block for engaging with the telescope to tilt it,a range-indicator graduated to indicate horizontal distances, andmechanism for simultaneously moving the indicator and lever,substantially as specified.

5. In a depression range-finder, the combination of a tilting telescope,an operating-lever mounted on an axis parallel to the telescope-axis, arange-indicator cylinder having spirally-placed graduations on itsperiphery, and mechanism for simultaneously moving said lever andindicator-cylinder, with a sliding pointer, and means whereby it ismoved in a path parallel to the axis of the cylinder, and at a speedwhich causes its end to follow the spiral corresponding with the pitchof the spiral graduations, substantially as speciiied.

6. In a depression range-finder, the combination of a tilting telescope,and an operating-lever pivoted on an axis parallel tothe telescope-axis,and provided with one arm which extends toward the axis of the telescopeand tilts the telescope, and a second arm which extends downwardly andhas a worm-segment on its lower end, with a wormf shaft which engageswith the worm-segment, and a rangeeindicator operating said shaft,substantially as specified.

7. In a depression range-finder, the combination of a tilting telescope,and an operating-lever pivoted on a parallel axis and provided with adownwardly-extending arm having a worm-segment on its lower end, and anapproximately horizontal arm graduated to indicate various altitudes, asliding .block which is mounted on the last-named leverarm and whichengages with the telescope to tilt it, a pin carried by said. block, aiiange on the telescope with whose lower edge said pin engages, aworm-shaft which engages with the worm-segment on said lever, and arange-indicator device which operates with said shaft, substantially asspecified.

IOO

S. In a depression rangedinder, the combi nation of a tilting telescope,a lever pivoted on a parallel axis and having an arm extending towardthe axis of the telescope and graduated to represent altitudes, with ablock slidable upon said arm, a pivot-pin carried by said block, and aflange on the telescope with whose lower edge said pivot-pin engages tooperate it, said lever also havin g downwardlyextending arm with aworm-segment on its lower end, a worm-shaft which engages with theworin-segment and operates the lever, a ran ge-indicator cylindersecured to said shaft, and having on its periphery spirally-placedgraduations, a pointer movable over the face of said cylinder in a pathparallel with its axis, rack-teeth on the lower side of said pointer,and a pivoted rocker having a gear-segment on one side of its axis whichengages with said rack-teeth, and a worm-segment on the other side ofsaid axis, and a worm on said shaft for engaging with the last-namedWormteeth, substantially as specified.

9. The combination of a tilting telescope, a lever pivoted on a parallelaxis to a fixed support, a range-indicator, and means for simultaneouslymovin gthe indicator and lever, said IIO lever having` a graduated arm,a block movable upon said graduated arm, mechanism carried by said blockfor engaging with the telescope to operate it, and two adjustable stopslocated at opposite ends of said movable block, substantially asspecified.

lO. The combination of a tilting telescope having alongitudinally-extended flange and slot, a lever pivoted on a parallelaxis to a Xed support, a range-indicator and means for simultaneouslymoving the indicator and lever, with a block slidably mounted on saidlever, a pin secured to said block and engaging the lower edge of saidflange, and a safety-latch also mounted on the block and engaging insaid slot, substantially as specified.

- 11. In a depression range-finder, the combination of a Jtelescopetilting in a vertical plane on a horizontal transverse axis, anoperating-lever pivoted on an axis which is parallel to the horizontaltransverse axis of the telescope, a range-indicator, mechanismconnecting said indicator with one arm of said lever whereby themovement of one results in the simultaneous proportionate movement ofthe other, and a device adjustable upon the other arm of said lever andengaging with the telescope whereby the rocking of the lever causes thetilting of the telescope on its said transverse axis, substantially asspecied.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afIiX my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

AMBROSE SWASEY.

Witnesses: Y

J oHN WEBER, H. L. UMSTEAD.

